As the Cleveland Browns entered the 2023 NFL Draft, they were widely considered a prime candidate to select a rookie quarterback. However, the team's strategy took an unexpected turn. Instead of opting for a signal-caller early in the draft, the Browns chose to wait until the late third round to select Dillon Gabriel from Oregon. This decision initially seemed to indicate that the path for Shedeur Sanders to join the team had closed.
However, in a surprising twist, the Browns moved up in the fifth round to acquire Sanders, the standout quarterback from Colorado. The decision to draft Sanders raised questions about his drop down the draft order, prompting analysts and fans alike to speculate on the reasons behind it.
Recent reports have shed light on the factors contributing to Sanders' unexpected fall in the draft. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Sanders had a notable meeting at the NFL Combine where he discussed an interception from his college career. This discussion, which is common during the evaluation process, turned contentious when Sanders declined to accept responsibility for the play. He expressed concerns about a potential mismatch between himself and the team he was meeting with.
Additionally, Breer noted that during another interview, Sanders had a disagreement with an NFL coach regarding a hypothetical offensive installation. The inability to recognize intentional mistakes reportedly raised red flags for some teams, further complicating his draft prospects. These off-the-field dynamics were likely factors in why Sanders, who was once projected to be a top pick—potentially as high as second overall by the Browns—ended up being selected at pick No. 144.
The narrative surrounding Sanders’ draft stock has been complex. Despite his fall, multiple evaluators had given him a late first-round grade, while many others viewed him as a viable Day 2 pick. As reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Daniel Oyefusi, the overall consensus was that a drop out of the first round was anticipated. However, remaining on the board for so long became one of the most discussed topics of the draft.
In response to the challenges he faced leading up to the draft, Sanders expressed a commitment to improvement. “I feel like in life, there’s always a way I can improve,” he stated. “I’m able to improve. And some things that I did that seemed right at the time, I could’ve went about it a different way.” He emphasized the significance of his positive interactions with the Browns, attributing his selection to the strong rapport he built with the organization. "So anything outside the organization is really a non-factor for me now,” he concluded.
With the Cleveland Browns now officially drafting Shedeur Sanders, fans and analysts will be keenly observing how this young quarterback’s career unfolds in the NFL. While questions regarding his pre-draft evaluations linger, Sanders’ determination to improve and adapt could prove pivotal in establishing a successful professional career.
